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From John Adams Minna
The Federal Government has declared that the planned relocation of some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos has no political motive.
The Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi gave the clarification yesterday in Minna, Niger State in a message to the 2024 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Chapter Press Week and the launching of the union’s magazine.
“The Federal Government’s decision to relocate certain departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the headquarters of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency, streamline processes and ensure a responsive financial system for Nigeria and cut operations cost,” the minister explained.
Malagi who was represented at the occasion by the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Alhaji Jibrin Ndace added that “the policy also aligns with global best practices and has no political motivation whatsoever as wrongly propagated”.
He said that the Tinubu-led Federal Government is committed “to fairness and equitable development, as outlined in his oath of office, ensures that no policy under his administration will disadvantage any region,” adding that “his (Tinubu’s) dedication to fostering national unity and inclusivity is reflected in policies guided by principles of fairness and equality”.
The minister disclosed that the Federal Government would soon unveil what he described as “comprehensive details of the National Values Charter, which will be premised on the principles that the government, as represented by elected representatives must provide certain basic needs for its citizens and live by example to justify a firm adherence to a social contract from the citizens”.
He added that the National Values Charter would contain “seven core promises” of the Nigerian state to the citizens, and another “seven commitments” of the citizens toward their country.
Malagi reiterated the decision of the Federal Government to roll out “a first of its type student loan scheme” and a presidential initiative to deploy lower cost CNG mass transit buses to provide alternatives to petrol and diesel and various low interest schemes to businesses, adding that the CNG buses intervention is expected to bring down the cost of transportation by more than 50 per cent.
He reassured Nigerians that the 2024 would be a great year as the policies of President Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda take firmer roots for the growth of the nation’s economic development, invaluable human assets, and national security.
Niger State governor, Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Bago who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, promised that the government would give the media in the state freedom to operate, but charged the journalists to always cross check and confirm their stories before going to the press.
The State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Abu Nmadu assured that journalists in the state would continue to ply their trade according to the ethics of their profession.
